Hey everyone! Hope you're doing great! I am back with a beauty post.

I've compiled a list of 10 great makeup products under Ksh 500 ($5) as seen below, based on personal preference, because one, I'm a bargain hunter and two, I wanted to show that sometimes you really don't have to spend too much money on buying quality makeup products.

Enjoy! 

1. Color Show Blush'em Duo Blusher - No 31 by Maybelline - Ksh 350

If you've used Maybelline products before, you know that they're on top of their game. This blusher is great and very cheap.

2. Electro Baby Lips - Strike A Rose by Maybelline - Ksh 365

Another product worth every penny by Maybelline, it's highly moisturizing and its effect lasts for 8 hours.

3. L.A. Colors Eyeliner, Brow Pencil And Sharpener - Ksh 500

Another brand which I'm loving is "L.A. Colors" I'm always down for affordable, good quality makeup.

4. Pauline Cosmetics Berry Combo Eyeshadow Palette - Ksh 450

Did you know that "Pauline Cosmetics" is a Kenyan brand? And an exceptional one too? I've been using Pauline Cosmetics glosses for a month now, can't wait to review them, I believe all their products are superior in formula.

This eyeshadow is perfect for adding some life to your eyes.

5. L.A. Colors Matte Lipstick - Mocha - Ksh 300

I'm usually extra cautious when buying lipstick, I ensure that it has no harmful ingredients. I'm so impressed by this one, because you use it and think it should be sold at a higher price.

6. Pauline Cosmetics Mascara - Ksh 450

I love the volume this mascara adds to eyelashes, you can get a mascara for less of course, but it wouldn't hurt to promote our very own Kenyan brand!

7. Ovonni 5 piece makeup tool brush set - Ksh 270

I was never into using make-up brushes, but after watching one-to-many YouTube videos by beauty vloggers, I'm convinced they're staples for wearing makeup beautifully.

8. L.A. Colors Liquid Foundation - Ksh 465

I like foundations which provide light coverage, this particular one provides just that, plus this bottle can last you ages.

9. L.A. Colors Deluxe False Eyelashes - Ksh 455


If you've used false eyelashes before and therefore experienced the transformation brought about by them, you must be hooked as I am.

10. Calvin Klein Ultimate Edge Lip Gloss Pot - Boy Pencil - Ksh 400

This gloss is designer! High in quality and super convenient to carry around.

Do you know of or use any amazing makeup products which don't necessarily cost an arm and a leg? Lol!

Thank you so much for stopping by. See you in the next post! :)

P.S. I have attached a link on all products mentioned, simply click on any product's name so as to learn more about it and purchase it if interested.

Happy new month!!!... Yeah, March is still quite fresh.

I'm writing this over my lunch break, so I'll just put down a simple list of things you can do to improve your life. I recently included  "Bloom Notes" in my drop down tab under "Lifestyle" as I'm huge on motivating people and encouraging guys to live their best lives while they're still alive! Makes sense right? Everyone should be a lover of life and work on being the best version of themselves. It always makes me so happy when I see people leading a life that satisfies them, it makes me happy too when I make efforts to improve the quality of my life and that of my family and friends.

The picture I've included in this post I found in my archives as I was deleting some pictures from my laptop, that's how I looked 2 years ago, funny I never posted the picture anywhere yet it's pretty okay, I was so skinny though! I'm 6kgs heavier at the moment. 

Below are 22 ways you can improve your life. I've made the list considering stuff I personally do to help me be as productive as I can be and to generally just feel good about myself and my life.

1. Pray as soon as you wake up in the morning, I'm not a Jesus freak but I've discovered it's the best way to begin your day, besides, there's power in prayer, lots of good stuff come your way when you're constantly connected to God. Keep that connection in check! You'll never regret it.

2. Read a motivational note daily. I read my devotion book which has sections to read each day in a year, stories I come across motivate, inspire, entertain and enable me to feel ready to take on the day.

3. Spread your bed, make it a habit. Who doesn't like a neatly spread bed? I personally love it, therefore I make an effort of spreading mine when I can, I say when I can because sometimes I leave Zain sleeping in my bed while heading to work, my little princess loves her morning sleep.

4. Wake up early (at least before 8am)

5. Spend time with friends

6. Wash your face and moisturize daily, which reminds me, I have a new facial skincare routine which I'm hoping to share with you soon.

7. Eat lots of fruit.

8. Wear a little makeup, you'll be surprised the difference made by simply doing your brows and wearing some gloss.

9. Clean your room at least every two weeks.

10. Do some yoga, those stretches, easy as they seem will make you sweat.

11. Invest time in cooking delicious meals. You can make your favorite dish or recreate an awesome recipe.

12. Discover new music.

13. Spend less time online. Digital detox feels sooo good!

14. Light some scented candles, lavender or vanilla scented ones are my absolute favorite!

15. Only go to bed to sleep, if you're like me, leave your laptop far from your reach.

16. Open your room’s windows... Because you deserves fresh air and light.

17. Have cold showers, everyone enjoys hot showers, but cold showers are healthier for the skin.

18. Drink lots of water.

19. Tell someone they look nice, if you've noticed an effort on their side in dressing up. 

20. Buy yourself something you have been longing to have. There's no crime in splurging on yourself every once in a while.

21. Read to your child or children (applies to parents like myself) it may actually seem dumb at first to read to a child who is months old or a toddler, but it does create a huge positive impact.

22 . Keep in touch with you family and friends, this I'm still working on as I spend months without calling or texting people I genuinely care about and later it makes me feel like a bad person... Meh!

I hope the list inspires you to live better. If you have stuff you do that improve your life, please share, comment below.

As always, thank you for reading! See you in the next post. 

Juggling an 8 to 5 job, parenting and blogging has proven to be quite a challenge.

I'd hate for 2017 to be yet another disastrous blogging year as 2016 was. I'm quite passionate about blogging, always have been, so as much as I prioritize my day job and taking care of my daughter, I'll do my level best to post whenever time allows.

I finally got my hands on a Kylie Cosmetics liquid lipstick! Woot! Thanks to a business lady I met recently, we became friends so she sold it to me at a much cheaper price compared to what I would pay if I decided to buy it directly from the Kylie Cosmetics website. She had Kylie Cosmetics liquid lipsticks in Mary Jo K and Posie K, I chose the latter because I have two red lipsticks that I rarely wear anyway. Lately I'm drawn to pink, purple and nude shades when it comes to lipstick.

Posie K has truly stole my heart, if I could I would wear it everyday and not feel a need to change it up.

Below is a review of the matte liquid lipstick, my current makeup obsession! Kindly scroll down for more details.

The liquid lipstick comes in a white box with the shade name and shade itself shown at the top and on the sides as drips. Kylie's name is also displayed on the box in upper case letters.

It's chic and eye catching, whoever came up with the packaging did great.

The liquid lipstick itself comes in a clear tube and black lid with the drips coming from the lid's side. You get 3.25ml in the tube and an applicator which is absolutely fine, it glides on the lips when used.

The minute you twist it open, you will immediately notice a strong,  sweet scent. Think vanilla, think bubble gum, think candy.

Once it's applied on the lips though you can't smell it.

Posie K is a dark pink-purple shade. I like how it compliments my complexion. It totally suits me, don't you think? Haha!

It's a shade that's perfect for both a daytime and night time look, also it can go so well with a little white dress, a floral dress or even jeans and a t-shirt. Generally it can allow you to wear it for so many occasions, be it going to the office, a weekend brunch or attending a wedding.

This particular shade can suit anyone I believe.

If you're in Kenya you can buy Kylie Liquid Lipsticks from local re-sellers who import beauty products at Kshs. 1,800 (Roughly $17).

Alternatively you can order directly from kyliecosmetics.com or use the online store buyusa.co.ke to get your product and not stress over custom charges.

It's so creamy, highly pigmented, non-sticky and applies smoothly and evenly to the lips without smudging.

The lipstick takes a little while to dry matte, however once it does eventually dry it stays on the lips the whole day, I'm not even kidding, until you yourself decides to wipe it off your lips, it won't come off.

Most matte lipsticks are drying, so I did apply my lip balm before applying it, just to be safe, but I was honestly so surprised, it wasn't drying on my lips at all, it felt quite moisturizing compared to other liquid lipsticks I've used before.

As I've mentioned, unless you decide to wipe the lipstick off, it won't come off. This is my most favorite thing about this lipstick actually.

Above is what the lipstick looked like when I got back at my place in the evening, I did take a meal and a drink in the course of the day. Most of the lipsticks I own come off when I eat or drink something, but this one didn't.

I didn't need to reapply or retouch either. It's honestly so long lasting.

Overall Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I give it a 4/5 since I love almost everything about it, it's packaging, color, scent, formula, the fact that it's long wearing and even price, it's worth its value. It's one of those products I would repurchase and recommend to a friend.

~~~~~~

I'm planning to buy other shades by Kylie Cosmetics, probably Dolce K, Leo and Kourt K, If I do buy the said shades in future, I'll do a little product review on them too.

Have you ever tried any Kylie Jenner lippies or anything from Kylie Cosmetics?

Let me know what you think in the comments section.

The month of love...

I'm quite happy that it's a new month, anyone else happy to be done with January?... Or should I say Njaanuary?

 

A lot of good things actually happened since the beginning of the year, but I don't know, January was sort of like a trial month for me, I made a number of goals, a few among them being; eat healthier, drink at least eight glasses of water daily, exercise thrice a week, read four books every month, blog consistently... I won't lie to you, I have not truly followed through with most of the stuff I put down as my 2017 goals. Woe is me!

This month I plan to put in hard work and grit in achieving my goals. I need to change. I have to change.

My personal goals and self improvement talk aside, I'm super excited that I will be spending this Valentine's with my baby girl Zain!!!

I'm one of those people who don't subscribe to the idea that Valentine's is just for couples/sweethearts...

I'm looking forward to making my daughter's first Valentine's special.

I hope you go out of your way to show those closest to you (not just bae) love on Valentine’s Day.

If you happen to be a mama or parent like me, think of fun and sweet ways to show your kid (s) that you care for them and love them.

Here's to a great February! ❤